DCA Improvements - Sunshine Plaza

[PumpkinKing!]

Um I think its a unified theme. California - Hollywood, San Francisco, Forest, Desert. All things found here in Northern and Southern California! Why Forest Everything in?

[DifrntDrmr]

My apologies, I've never figured that Soarin' was supposed to be a flight tech test ride. If that is the case, I think they need to expand on that a WHOLE lot more than they have to make it more apparent.

I'd always had the idea, via the movement and smells, that it was supposed to be a sitting (laying down in anything capable of properly restraining people on something that moves 40 feet or so into the air would have been difficult) representation of a magical hang glide over the "best of" California. If you really are testing flight technology, where do the smells fit in?

I remember being told by someone who was working on the development of the ride that it was a hand gliding experience. This was right after the park had been announce.

[cindersgirl]

For the Princess Diaries maybe they could do like a Gourmet Genovian Pear stall or cart or something.

Stall? Cart? OFF WITH YOUR HEAD!!!! Sorry, only joking.

I'm still hoping for a full fledged restaurant, though.

[sir clinksalot]

Yeah ... themed restaurants worked so well in DCA in the past ...

[dlfreak]

I don't get it.

[CaliforniaAdventurer]

You just can't see the forest through the trees...

Since DCA is DESERTED they have to get rid of the DESERT so it will become more CROWDED....

That's the Powerpoint they showed in the meeting anyway... j/k

[PumpkinKing!]

So DCA is going to become just one giant forest I dont get it why? Why more of the Arts and Crafts Movement? I mean its great and all but that is found over by the GCH. I am at a loss as to what will be going on, I guess we will just have to wait and see. Oh and blah to them getting rid of Condor Flats! So here is to another refurb at DCA lets see how this goes!

[filmfreak11]

^ my thought exactly.

[ah schucks]

I was hoping to spend sometime today working on a photoshoped idea for the entrance but instead find that my computer at home has taken on a new habit where as I can no longer download or save pictures to my computer. Fun fun.

Ok anyway- unwards and upwards. I have suggested for sometime now that a solution to Condor Flats is to retheme the area and build an overlay that looks like the Los Angeles Observatory seen in the Rocketeer. Even if the ride is never rethemed per my multiple suggestions to the movie, adding a figure above it would give some resounance to the area and act as a transistion from the Hollywood area and represent one of the few areas in LA that doesn't remind folks of "the dirty smoggy" image LA has become associated with.

Further more, if Condor Flat is changed slightly I suggest the promotion of alternative flying means that you might find near the forest or a wine field, ie Hot Air Balloons, placed on the corner, from the transition into the winery territory. Not full sized hot air balloons but decent size replicas with small flames that burst every couple minutes to give the appeareance of ballons taking off, on the Taste Pilot Cafe, retheme it to adventure sports, rock climbing, parasailing and dun duh duh- hanggliding. Promote the idea of hanggliding in the forest- extreme sports area known as GRR!

I agree that if stripped the desert theme needs to be reconsittued else where, preferably in an area that promotes our hispanic, native american and spanish influences and history here in California. No ride suggestion just simply pointing it out.

[dlfreak]

So DCA is going to become just one giant forest I dont get it why? Why more of the Arts and Crafts Movement? I mean its great and all but that is found over by the GCH. I am at a loss as to what will be going on, I guess we will just have to wait and see. Oh and blah to them getting rid of Condor Flats! So here is to another refurb at DCA lets see how this goes!

The GRR area plus a newly Craftsman-style entrance plus a forested Condor Flats would still be smaller than Tomorrowland, Frontierland, heck it might even be a bit smaller than Fantasyland. The redwood theme is really beautiful in DCA and I'm glad they are expanding on what works. The desert is really squeezed in there and it's a hard transition from Sunshine Plaza to desert to GCH and the GRR theming. It does not transition well in it's current state, IMO. Plus why the heck are there hotels at either end of the landing strip of this Condor Flats airport? Hopefully they change Condor Flats from a desert airport to to adventerous forested mountain top hanggliding area to continue with the adventerous theme that you get from being able to white-water raft at GRR.

[DisneyMickey]

I'm sure the main reason why they are adding all these trees and basing the remodels off of thick forested plant life is because DCA is so bare right now. Plants will help fill in a lot of gaps and funky views that DCA has in some areas. Why is it a bad idea to put tons of trees in DCA when there are trees everywhere in Disneyland-and big ones at that? The crafstman architecture and lush green plant life will be welcome seeing how it's cozy and gives that sense of warmth. I always thought the Grand Californian's architecture was attractive. It drew you in and when you were surrounded with all the woodwork, tall, whispy trees, and deep brown and green colors, it made you feel homey. It sure beats the hell out of palm trees, stucko, and neon. It will be tastefully done I'm 100% sure.

[DisneyMickey]

The GRR area plus a newly Craftsman-style entrance plus a forested Condor Flats would still be smaller than Tomorrowland, Frontierland, heck it might even be a bit smaller than Fantasyland. The redwood theme is really beautiful in DCA and I'm glad they are expanding on what works. The desert is really squeezed in there and it's a hard transition from Sunshine Plaza to desert to GCH and the GRR theming. It does not transition well in it's current state, IMO. Plus why the heck are there hotels at either end of the landing strip of this Condor Flats airport? Hopefully they change Condor Flats from a desert airport to to adventerous forested mountain top hanggliding area to continue with the adventerous theme that you get from being able to white-water raft at GRR.

I agree. Everytime time I walk into Condor Flats and look at the Grand Cal. in the distance, it throws me off and calls for a scratch on the head. The first time I went to DCA, that was something I noticed and have noticed evertime I visit since. The first thing you notice is the hotel and just doesn't look good as a backdrop. On the other hand, if it was themed as a forested area, the hotel would look like a cozy lodge up the trail(or road).

[filmfreak11]

I agree that if stripped the desert theme needs to be reconsittued else where, preferably in an area that promotes our hispanic, native american and spanish influences and history here in California. No ride suggestion just simply pointing it out.

My thought exactly. Perhaps a part of the Timon Parking lot is a good area for a new Condor Flats style land.

Hopefully they change Condor Flats from a desert airport to to adventerous forested mountain top hanggliding area to continue with the adventerous theme that you get from being able to white-water raft at GRR.

I think ah schucks said that, too. Again, my thought exactly. It's good that Grizzly Peak Recreation Area adds a ride shop and restaurant.

[cindersgirl]

I'm sure the main reason why they are adding all these trees and basing the remodels off of thick forested plant life is because DCA is so bare right now. Plants will help fill in a lot of gaps and funky views that DCA has in some areas. Why is it a bad idea to put tons of trees in DCA when there are trees everywhere in Disneyland-and big ones at that? The crafstman architecture and lush green plant life will be welcome seeing how it's cozy and gives that sense of warmth. I always thought the Grand Californian's architecture was attractive. It drew you in and when you were surrounded with all the woodwork, tall, whispy trees, and deep brown and green colors, it made you feel homey. It sure beats the hell out of palm trees, stucko, and neon. It will be tastefully done I'm 100% sure.

I also agree, as it makes the area look more lush, softer on the eyes, and a nice bonus - trees and shrubs help to add shade and take some of the pollutants out of the air. Just so long as they are not using forested areas in place of attractions. They definitely need more attractions (or perhaps Disney Institute type classes as I've mentioned elsewhere) in order to draw more people in, and give them more to do once they are there.

[PragmaticIdealist]

The high deserts of California are created by the orographic effect of the mountains, so the area, in its current state, makes complete sense.

The billboard is a weak transition that could replaced with something stronger, though.

Disney needs to leave the rest of the airfield alone and address the real problems, Paradise Pier and Route 66.